The Dealer turned puce last week when Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice started talking about erotic animals in a debate at the Oireachtas agriculture committee.

He was commenting about the transmission of diseases and how “unusual” animals had made their way onto these shores. Speaking about how mink were released in Ireland and that they have tortured parts of the country, he said the Department “has let in these erotic animals or whatever you call them”.

“If you want to look at some kind of erotic animal, why do you not go to the zoo or have them in a zoo?” he said.

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Thankfully, there was no need for the smelling salts, with Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere later clarifying that Fitzmaurice did in fact mean exotic animals.

While the colour in The Dealer’s face had returned to its normal complexion at this stage, he was puce again and had to slam the laptop shut when Cleere stated: “I am sure we will have another session on erotic animals into the future. We might add it to the agenda”.